A great night to see former Colonel athletes, coaches and contributors celebrated

 

IVAN K. RICE l doctorofsports@aol.com

 

PARIS, KY – It turned out to be a another night to remember for Bourbon County Athletics.

Last Friday evening inside the school’s cafeteria, seventeen individuals were honored as the second class to be inducted into the newly formed Bourbon County Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following a prayer from Hall of Fame committee member Dana Hill, the large crowd in attendance enjoyed a lovely meal that was provided by Bourbon County Athletic supporter Jay Shelley.

Shortly after, Athletic Director Wendy Rankin Mahanna took to the podium to thank everyone for being there and who has played a key role in helping the hall of fame awards night come to life.

“We are so excited to be here for a second year to celebrate Bourbon County High School’s rich history in athletics. Several people are surprised about the number of inductees we have had over the last two years, but I tell them that we are way behind. We have so many deserving athletes, coaches, and contributors throughout our history that we need to play catchup in the beginning.” She went on by saying that she hopes that everyone will talk to teammates or classmates and get more people to nominate those who really represented the Colonels so well.

Mahanna concluded by saying thank you to Superintendent Dr. Larry Begley for all of the support that he and the board give to athletics. “I would also like to thank the committee members who have helped me make this vision a reality.”

Mahanna would then pass the night off to guest speaker and emcee for the evening, Ivan K. Rice, the Doctor of Sports, and the long-time Sports Editor for the Bourbon County Citizen newspaper.

“I was honored and blessed to be the speaker at Bourbon County High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet for a second straight year. Many outstanding athletes have come out of the County and during my 41 years as the sportswriter in our community, I’ve seen plenty more! It’s always great honoring the past. Excellent job Bourbon County, because it was a wonderful night to celebrate some very deserving athletes, coaches, and contributors!”

Rice would then read the bios of each inductee, while Mahanna and Hill would hand out the plaques to the inductees or a representative for an inductee.

The Hall of Fame committee would like to thank everyone who submitted nominees and information for this year’s hall of fame class and they’re looking forward to seeing this continue and grow from here.

Note: You can view more hall of fame photos taken by Krista Barnett on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10035810679781034&type=3

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–Katie Blevins Allen–

Katie was a standout soccer player while at Bourbon County High School. She was awarded Rookie of the Year and The Wall Award as goalkeeper. She made the All-District Tournament team 3 years, the All Region Team 4 years, the Regional All-Tournament Team 3 years, and was All State for her junior and senior seasons. Katie had 52 career shutouts which is still 3rd in KHSAA state history. She is 9th in the state record books with the most shutouts per season with 16. Katie also played basketball and tennis while at BCHS.

Katie went on to play D1 Soccer at Morehead State University where they were the OVC Regular Season Champions and OVC Tournament Champions twice. Katie played in 2 NCAA Tournament. She was also named Goalkeeper of the Week two times during her collegiate career.

 

 

–Gayle Conner Saunders–

Gayle was an outstanding cheerleader during her time at Bourbon County High School. She was a varsity cheerleader from 1974-1977 and during that time, the squad were Regional Champions and State Champions. This was unheard of at the time. Gayle was the Captain of the squad for three years. Gayle and some of her teammates were selected as a National Cheerleading Association All-American and that group spent their summers traveling to camps to teach cheerleaders across the country. While at BCHS, Gayle also competed for the track team for two years.

Gayle went on to cheer at the University of Louisville and was the captain her junior and senior years.

 

 

 

–Lyle Eads–

Lyle Eads was a long time teacher and coach at Bourbon County High School. His coaching career spanned 30 years. During his tenure at BCHS he served on the football staff and was basketball coach, Russ Day’s, right hand man. Their basketball team made two trips to the Sweet 16 in 1980 and 1984. The 1984 team was KHSAA State Championship Runners Up. Coach Eads was also on the Kentucky/Indiana All Stars coaching staff. He spent 5 years as the Head Coach at Whitesburg and 2 years at MMI. Coach Lyle Eads has also been inducted into the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

 

–Jennifer Johnson Norman–

Jennifer was an incredibly talented athlete while at Bourbon County High School. She was a tremendous basketball player and led the Lady Colonels to their 10th Region Tournament Semifinal appearance her senior year. She was named to the 10th Region All Tournament team for her play. Jennifer scored 1103 points over her basketball career, making her the second Lady Colonel to score 1000 points. Jennifer was also a highly decorated track runner and played on the tennis team.

Jennifer returned to be an assistant coach for the volleyball and basketball teams at Bourbon County High School.

 

 

 

–Tom Leach–

Before Tom Leach became the “Voice of the Wildcats”, he was a major contributor to media coverage of Bourbon County High School Athletics from 1977-1984. Tom covered BCHS athletics for WBGR Radio and the Paris Enterprise. He did radio play-by-play of the Colonels football and basketball teams. During his time on WBGR his broadcast included the Colonels’ trip to the KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 in 1980. While a student at Bourbon County High School, Tom, who is also a member of the 10th Region Hall of Fame, played basketball for 2 years and baseball for 4 years and was All Conference his senior year.

 

 

 

–Wayne Mogge–

Wayne was a two-sport star while at Bourbon County High School. He started 4 years as quarterback of the football team. Wayne led his team to the playoffs in his senior year. He was named to the All State Honorable Mention team for his efforts. He was also selected to the National Who’s Who for High School Football. Wayne was a 3-year letterman for the basketball team. He was a starting guard his senior year when the Bourbon County Colonels were the KHSAA State Championship Runners Up. For his play during that magical season, Wayne was named to the 10th Region All-Tournament Team, the Sweet 16 All-Tournament Team, and All-State Honorable Mention. Wayne has been inducted into the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

–Jenny Moore–

Jenny was an integral part of the girls’ soccer program at Bourbon County High School during their most successful times. The teams that she was a key offensive threat were District Champions 2002-2006, Regional Champions 2004-2006, and played in the Elite Eight 2004-2006. In 2002, Jenny was second on the state records list for Most Consecutive Goals in a game. In 2004, she set the record for the Most Goals in a Season with 49 and in 2004. Her 169 goals for her career landed her, at the time, on the state record list at the number two spot. She is still on the KHSAA record books even though teams play more games per season. Jennifer was on the All District Team and All Region Team from 2002-2006. She was the Regional Player of the Year in 2004 and 2006. Jenny was also named 2nd Team All State in 2002 and the 1st Team All State from 2003-2006. Jenny went on to play soccer for Transylvania University.

 

 

–David Poe–

Coach Poe (as known by his students and athletes) spent 42 years in the Bourbon County Schools as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. David coached basketball, football, and track at the middle and high school levels. Throughout his 22 year coaching career, he had several Bluegrass Conference Division Champions and Runners Up in basketball, football, and track. Coach Poe was an Assistant Track Coach under Duane Stewart and helped develop numerous individual and team champions from 1985-1997. David was also an Assistant Basketball Coach at the middle and high school with his wife Rachel from 1992-1999. He became the Head Coach of the Lady Colonels from 2000-2002. During his first year, the team was District Runners-Up.

David spent 7 years as the Elementary Athletic Director managing the youth football and basketball league. He spent 18 years as the BCMS Athletic Director and was the Commissioner of the Bluegrass Conference for 10 of those years.

 

–Roy Poe–

Roy Poe is a longtime supporter of Bourbon County Athletics. He has attended basketball games at BCHS since 1962. He became the Colonels Basketball official scorekeeper in 1972 at all home and away games. He continued through the 1984 season for a total of 12 years. He was a part of the 1980 10th Region Tournament Championship and traveled with the team to Freedom Hall in Louisville for the Sweet 16 Tournament. He was also the scorekeeper during the historical 1984 Sweet 16 State Runner Up run at Rupp Arena. Roy was inducted into the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994 as a Contributor.

 

 

 

 

 

–Shanda Pulliam Crosby–

Shanda was a member of the first ever girls’ basketball team at Bourbon County High School as an 8th grader in 1974. She was a five-year starter for the team. Shanda was the first Lady Colonel to score 1000 points, and this was before the 3-point line. She was named All Conference, All District, All Region and was All State Honorable Mention her senior year. Shanda was also a 2-year letterman for the Track & Field team. In 1979, she set the Shot Put record for BCHS and was the State Shot Put Runner Up. Her senior year, she was named Co-Outstanding Athlete of the Year and Women’s Sports Magazine Outstanding Female Athlete.

 

 

 

 

 

–Tony Sosby–

Tony Sosby returned to his alma mater to teach and coach after college. He spent many years supporting student athletes in various sports. Throughout his career, he coached golf, boys’ basketball (1996-1999), girls’ basketball (2004-2011), and softball. As the boys’ basketball coach, he led the team to two District Championship titles. Tony started the softball program and spent 25 years as head coach. His career record for softball was 415 wins and 331 losses. Throughout his softball coaching career his teams were district champions 7 times and won the 10th Region Softball Tournament to advance to the KHSAA State Tournament in 2018. Tony has been awarded the 10th Region Coach of the Year in Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Softball as well as being inducted into the Kentucky High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Tony, who was inducted into 10th Region Boys Basketball Hall of Fame, also served many years as Assistant Athletic Director and then Athletic Director of Bourbon County High School.

 

–Craig Summers–

Craig was a tremendous basketball player at Bourbon County High School. He was the MVP of the Colonels his junior and senior years and served as captain both years. His junior year, he was named to the All-State Honorable Mention team as well as the All 10th Region team and the Mid-State Conference team. Craig led the Colonels his senior year to an undefeated home schedule and an overall record of 20-9. The Colonels were District Champions but fell to Maysville in the semifinals of the 10th Region Tournament. For his play during his last year, Craig was named to the Mid-State All Conference Team, the 37th District Tournament Team, 10th Regional All Star and Tournament Team, and All-State Honorable Mention. Craig also ran track while at BCHS.

After graduation, Craig played basketball at the University of Wisconsin Stout where he was a 4-year starter and All Conference three of those years. He ended his collegiate career in the top 5 scorers in school history. Craig was an NBA Draft pick of the Indiana Pacers in 1982.

 

–Ricky Wilson–

Ricky Wilson played basketball at Bourbon County High School from 1976-1980. Over his playing career he earned many accolades. He went from Most Improved to being named to the 10th Region Team his senior year. He was awarded most rebounds his senior year and most blocked shots his junior and senior years. He was an integral part of the 1980 team that won the 10th Region Tournament and made a trip to the Sweet 16. He was named MVP of the Colonels that year. Ricky played after high school at Pratt Community College in Kansas.

 

 

–Robin Fryman–

Robin was a multisport athlete while a student at Bourbon County High School. She was named MVP of the 1994 Lady Colonels Basketball team and was awarded the Best 3 Point percentage for that year as well. Robin, however, is best known for her accomplishments on the BCHS Track & Field team. She was a 4-time State Champion during her high school career. Robin was the 1993 Kentucky 2A Shot Put State Champion and was a 3-peat Kentucky 2A Discus State Champion, winning in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Her many accomplishments include: 1991 All State Track & Field Team – First Team Shot Put, Second Team Discus; 1992, 1993, and 1994 All State Track & Field Team – First Team Shot Put and Discus; 1992 Track & Field All State Team sophomores Shot Put; 1992 KTCCCA Runners of the Year Class AA Runner Up; 1994 Track & Field Superteam (all classes combined) Shot Put & Discus; and in 1994, she received votes for Athlete of the Year for Class AA Girls Track & Field. Robin still holds the school records for Shot Put (38’3″) and Discus (128’9″).

 

–Mike Holmes–

Coach Mike Holmes was a longtime assistant baseball coach at Bourbon County High School. He coached from 1975-2001. Over his 27 season tenure, his JV teams had a record of 219 wins and 98 losses. He was also an integral piece of the Varsity staff of Head Coach Larry Conrad, who had a record of 519 wins and 292 losses. He was selected in 1994 and 1996 as a coach for the Kentucky Senior All Star teams.

Mike taught Technology and Industrial Education classes and was the Assistant Principal and Interim Principal at Bourbon County Middle School from 1998-2006.

 

–Myron Hill–

Myron Hill was a multisport athlete while a student at Bourbon County High School. He played basketball for three years and was an outstanding golfer from 1968 through 1974. His senior year he won the Regional Tournament with a one under par score of 69. He went on to play in the State Golf Tournament, becoming the first Bourbon County golfer to do so.

 

–Mike Henderson–

Mike Henderson was the first soccer coach at Bourbon County High School. He started the program in 1986 and coached through 1993. During that time, he compiled a record of 44-60-2. Coach Henderson was named the CKSL Coach of the Year in 1989 when his team went 8-0 in the league and was the CKSL League Champions.

 

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Bourbon County High School’s athletic Hall of Fame criteria

Mission: To recognize and honor those who have made valuable contributions to the

rich tradition of Bourbon County Athletics.

Hall of Fame Policies

1. Individuals may be nominated as a player, coach, or supporter of Bourbon County Athletics.
2. Teams as a whole may also be nominated.
3. The maximum number of individuals admitted per year will be three. One team can be admitted as well for a total of 4 inductees. (The first few years will be the exception).
4. All nominees should be of good character and shall be good role models. Inductees shall not have been convicted of a felony. If the discovery of a felony occurs after induction, or one occurs while in the Hall of Fame, then that inductee will be removed as a member of the hall of fame.

Nomination Criteria

1. Athletes must be a Bourbon County graduate and be 10 years removed from graduation. They should have an exceptional, verifiable record as a Bourbon County athlete.
2. Former coaches of Bourbon County may be nominated if they are no longer coaching.
3. Those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to athletics outside of being an athlete or coach.

Recognition and Privileges of Membership

1. Inductees will be recognized at a home football or basketball game and will also be honored at a Hall of Fame banquet.
2. A plaque will be presented to individual inductees. A permanent recognition of the Hall of Fame will be in the High School front hallway.
3. Individual inductees will be given lifetime passes to all Bourbon County regular season home athletic events (does not include in-season tournaments, classics, or bowl games).

 Nomination Procedures

1. Nomination forms can be found on the BCHS Athletics website as well as the District and High School pages. Forms should be submitted to the Bourbon County High School Athletic Director. All forms will be kept on file for 5 years.
2. The nomination deadline is May 1st of each year.
3. The committee will meet and select the Hall of Fame inductees by June 15th.
4. Inductees will be notified immediately, and the information will be made public by July 1.

ALL BANQUET PHOTOS TAKEN BY KRISTA BARNETT